The Top 6 Reasons Why I See a Naturopathic Doctor

vis me·di·ca·trix na·tu·rae  

/ˈvis ˌmediˈkātriks nəˈto͝orē/

Noun The body's natural ability to heal itself.

This week we are celebrating Naturopathic Medicine Week all across Canada. Some of you may already know my story about why I became a naturopathic doctor, so I wanted to share some new insights on why I continue to see a naturopathic doctor to work on optimizing my health. 

1. Objective Perspective – Often times someone on the outside can offer you a new point of view you haven’t yet considered. In the middle of a dilemma, there may be a tendency to overanalyze, ruminate and go in circles. A new outlook from a trusted source can be just the thing you need to overcome a problem.

2. Self-Treatment is Lonely – The most frequently asked question I get asked from acupuncture newbies is if I use acupuncture on myself. The truth is, I have once when I had an injury and needed first aid, but for regular treatment, I see my naturopathic doctor (ND). There is something inherently healing about being cared for by another human being. That exchange of energy is important in the healing process.

3. Insight – Despite having the same educational background, we NDs have totally different experiences when working in the field. These unique experiences in our work help to inform our understanding of how human beings act, interact and react when it comes to their health. Having another person as a sounding board can really help with delving deeper into your health and achieving higher levels of wellness that you didn’t imagine possible.

4. Encouragement – Everyone gets in a rut at times. Life is busy, stress is on the rise, tough decisions present themselves – there are all sorts of obstacles that can lead to stagnation. Having a personal cheerleader to help you move forward again can be invaluable.

5. Accountability – It is great to get amazing initial results, but if you have trouble staying the course long-term, then chances are you will end up with the same problems again. Knowing that someone is going to check in with you to see how you are progressing and help you troubleshoot any issues is often times that missing key to staying on track to achieve and maintain great health.

6. Love and Compassion – I have had a few different NDs over the years with moving to new cities, and the one thing they all have in common is a deep sense of love and compassion for people. My ND has gone the extra mile for me when I was in need, listened intently during the hard times, and given me 100% presence and attention during our visits. My ND has helped me navigate rocky roads, overcome serious health obstacles and supported me to achieve the level of health that I enjoy today.

If you are unfamiliar with naturopathic medicine, download my free ebook by entering your email on my homepage.

Happy Canadian Naturopathic Medicine Week!!!

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Beyond Bagels: Quick Breakfast Ideas that are Wheat-Free & Gluten-Free

''Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.'' – Adelle Davis, Nutritionist (1904-1974) 

Most people cannot imagine breakfast without toast, bagels, croissants, turnovers, donuts, pancakes or waffles...But I am here to let you know that it exists!!!

Breakfast is absolutely the most important meal of the day, it breaks your overnight fast (get it?) and it sets the pace for your metabolism for the rest of the day. Skipping breakfast has been strongly linked to obesity in studies. Breakfast skippers tend to eat more food than usual at the next meal or snack on high-calorie foods to stave off hunger. The result? Slower metabolism and often weight gain.

There are many quick ideas that you can make on the run, or prepare the night before. If you don't eat breakfast now, pick the easiest idea on this list and eat it for a whole week, every morning. This will make it a habit and then you can start to add variety.

Eating breakfast is crucial, but so is what you eat. Eating wheat or other high-carbohydrate foods at breakfast can send your blood sugars sky-high, leaving you hungry soon after. Does your breakfast take you til noon? If not, these simple breakfast ideas below will do the trick as they are high in protein, low in carbohydrates and have moderate amounts of fat to get your energized.

The best advice I have for a wheat-free/gluten-free breakfast is to keep it simple and imagine new possibilities.

Here is a list of ideas to try:

Veggie Omelet:

Omelet made with 3 egg whites, 1 whole egg, and unlimited vegetables (try greens, tomatoes, onions, garlic, mushrooms, etc), chopped and cooked with 1 tsp. olive oil

Fruit and Yogurt:

4 oz. plain lowfat yogurt or 6 oz. nonfat yogurt

1 small nectarine or peach, sliced

½ cup blueberries

4 oz. plain lowfat yogurt

1 ½ cups mixed strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries

2 Tbsp. sliced almonds

Fruit and Nuts:

2 small fresh peaches

8 walnut or pecan halves, chopped, sprinkled with cinnamon

1 medium pear

10 whole almonds

1 medium apple, sliced

1 Tbsp. almond butter

Fruit and Eggs:

1 poached egg

1 half grapefruit

1 egg, hard-boiled

1 medium apple

Tofu Scramble:

2 oz. tofu

Chopped veggies

Steam-fry then add herbs of choice

Veggies and Dip:

1 medium carrot

Celery and cucumber sticks, unlimited

¼ cup hummus

Zucchini, cut into sticks

Bell peppers, cut into sticks

1 Tbsp. tahini

Greens and Protein:

4. oz chicken breast, sliced

Side salad with olive oil and apple cider vinegar

Green Smoothie:

1 cup leafy greens (kale, spinach, collards, etc)

1 medium apple, cored

1 cup strawberries

4 oz. plain lowfat yogurt

Cold water

Blend for a delicious, nutritious smoothie!

Hot Cereal:

Hot quinoa sprinkled with cinnamon

Sliced fruit

Almond milk

Left-over Rice Bowl:

¼ cup cooked beans (try pink, pinto, adzuki, or black)

¼ cup cooked brown rice

½ cup chopped fresh arugula, Napa cabbage, or romaine lettuce

Top with fresh squeezed lime, chopped green onions, cilantro and a few avocado slices 

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6 Reasons to Ditch Wheat (and Gluten) Forever

"Just as the tobacco industry created and sustained its market with the addictive properties of cigarettes, so does wheat in the diet make for a helpless, hungry consumer. From the perspective of the seller of food products, wheat is a perfect processed food ingredient: The more you eat, the more you want. The situation for the food industry has been made even better by the glowing endorsements provided by the US government urging Americans to eat more 'Healthy' whole grains." - Dr. William Davis, Wheat Belly

I have recently had my nose in a great book, sneaking in a chapter in every spare moment. It has captured my attention, because naturopathic doctors are highly trained in the field of clinical nutrition, and despite being aware of much of the information, the argument presented is new to me. In his best-selling book Wheat Belly, Dr. William Davis pulls together existing information on wheat from all corners of research to create a very compelling argument against wheat consumption for all human beings. There are many adverse effects of wheat that can wreak havoc on people (whether you have a food allergy or not) because our wheat today is not the wheat of our ancestors. The following is a summary of some of the most important points, in my opinion, presented in Wheat Belly:

1. Be in Control of Your Appetite and Your Blood Sugar – Wheat contains a unique complex carbohydrate called amylopectin A, which is quickly broken down into glucose and absorbed into the bloodstream. Because of this rapid process, it results in a spike of blood sugar, followed by an inevitable drop. This drop is what stimulates hunger. Once you consume wheat again, the cycle repeats. There are other foods that have a blood sugar increasing effect, too, but the unique properties of today’s wheat along with the volume and frequency of consumption give it command over one’s appetite. Studies actually show that people who do not consume wheat consume less calories per day than those who consume wheat.

2. Lose the Wheat Belly and Muffin Tops – When high blood sugar and subsequent insulin release are repeatedly triggered, it leads to increased fat accumulation especially around the abdomen, known as visceral fat (a.k.a. wheat belly). In men, the increase in fat makes estrogen levels rise, which can result in breast growth - 'gynecomastia'. The more fat, the more inflammation occurs and the higher your risk of chronic disease including diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

3. Don't Become Another Diabetes Stat – 1 in 17 Canadians have been diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes — or complications from the disease — now kills 3.8 million people a year or about the same number as HIV/AIDS. The damage and eventual destruction of pancreatic beta cells is the hallmark of prediabetes and diabetes. The continual intake of wheat, which spikes your blood sugar, takes your pancreas on a roller coaster ride. The higher your blood sugar goes, the more glucotoxicity (gluco = sugar) occurs. Lipotoxicity (lipo = fat) is another phenomena that damages the beta cells as triglycerides and fatty acids are the produced with the high carbohydrate intake. Additionally, inflammatory cells are released that add insult to injury, resulting in prediabetes, then diabetes.

4. Protect Your Gut and Immunity – Gliadin, a protein in wheat, has recently been found to have the ability to make your gut lining more permeable, meaning it loosens the otherwise tight junctions between cells lining your gastrointestinal tract. This results in gliadin and other unintended invaders to have a free for all in your bloodstream. One of the results of these unwanted guests is the activation of your immune system against itself, called ‘autoimmunity’, where your immune system starts to attack its own organs and tissues, leading to autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, celiac disease and more.

5. Keep Your pH in Check – When metabolized, wheat creates acidic by-products in the blood, including sulfuric acid. Your body needs to neutralize these acids in order to survive, so it steals calcium from your bones, which over time, leads the osteoporosis after years of an acidic diet. A University of Toronto study measured the loss of urine calcium with gluten consumption and found it to increase by a staggering 63%.

6. Preserve Your Joints for Life – The more wheat you consume, the higher your blood sugar increases and the more a process called ‘glycation’ occurs. Glycation is a sugar-coating of proteins that is irreversible and affects body tissues, including the joints. Cartilage in the joints is extremely susceptible to this process, becoming stiff and brittle, eventually disintegrating, leading to arthritis and joint pain.

Now I know much of this information may come as a surprise to you, as it did to me. I encourage you to read the book for yourself and evaluate the validity of Dr. Davis’ case against wheat consumption. But, philosophical arguments aside, let your body be the judge!! I challenge you to go wheat-free and gluten-free for 30 days. See how you feel – how your energy, your mood, your sleep and your overall health change. Please share your experience – I would love to hear from you!

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